Detection of B cell lymphoma 2, tumor protein 53, and FAS gene transcripts in blood cells of patients with breast cancer.

Background: Proteins encoded by FAS, BCL-2 and TP53 genes are major regulators of cellular survival and apoptosis. Results of recent investigations show remarkable biological features of these factors, which propose their role in the course of cancer. Therefore, it is plausible to test whether transcripts of these genes could be detected in the peripheral blood cells of patients with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: Real-time polymerase chain reaction assay was performed to detect FAS, BCL-2, and TP53 gene transcripts in the peripheral blood samples of 50 women with histologically confirmed infiltrative ductal carcinoma of the breast. Gene expression of patients was compared with 40 healthy women without history of malignancies or autoimmune disorders. Results: The relative overexpression of BCL-2 in the blood cells from patients of early stages (I and II), nonmetastatic and low-grade tumors compared with healthy individuals, was shown by measuring the gene transcript. Similarly, 3-4-fold higher expression of FAS was found in those patients. The measurement of TP53 transcripts also showed higher levels of gene expression in patients compared with healthy controls. BCL-2 gene expression showed a significant correlation with FAS, while such a correlation was not observed between BCL-2 and TP53 . Conclusion: It seems tumor cells overexpress BCL-2 to inhibit apoptosis and guarantee their cell survival. As a physiologic response, FAS and TP53 could be upregulated to suppress tumors. However, these pathways at early stages of disease may be inadequate and cause progressive malignancy.

Serum biochemical markers in carcinoma breast.

BACKGROUND: Despite the extensive research for many years throughout the world, the etiopathogenesis of cancer still remains obscure. For the early detection of carcinoma of various origins, a number of biochemical markers have been studied to evaluate the malignancy. AIM: To analyse serum gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in carcinoma breast patients. SETTINGS & DESIGN: The serum biochemical markers were estimated in twenty five histopathologically confirmed patients with carcinoma breast and equal number of healthy age- matched individuals served as control. MATERIAL & METHODS: Serum gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were estimated and their sensitivity determined. Statistics: Data was analysed with student's 't'-test and sensitivity score of these markers was determined. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: The mean serum GGTP, LDH and SOD activities in patients with carcinoma breast were tremendously increased as compared to controls, and a steady increase was observed in their activities from stage I through stage IV as well as following distant metastasis. Serum GGTP, LDH and SOD might prove to be most sensitive biomarkers in carcinoma breast in early detection of the disease.